Kristin Laidre

General Career Information…

What is your educational background?

I graduated from high school in upstate New York. I received a B.S. (Bachelor of Science) in Zoology and a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from the University of Washington, Seattle.

How did you end up in the field you are in today?
I was always interested in biology and marine science. When I began my undergraduate studies I volunteered at the National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle, Washington. I learned laboratory and analysis skills and over the course of several years was hired as an assistant biologist on several projects involving marine mammal field work. I continued my studies as a Ph.D. student with a focus on Arctic whales in Greenland and have continued to do research in the Arctic since then.

What are some of the different career opportunities associated with the work you do?
One can work in several different capacities as a biologist. You can be employed by the federal government, a university, an aquarium, or a non-profit organization. You can work in the United States or abroad. It is possible to focus on research (collecting and analyzing data) or teaching (university classes or field courses). Some biologists are field specialists, so they spend a lot of time outdoors collecting data. Others are laboratory specialists and spend their days in the lab looking at samples with microscopes and other machines. Some biologists also specialize in math and statistics and make models about population trends, harvest management, or quotas.

What advice would you give to kids who are interested in studying science?
My best advice is to get involved in scientific research as soon as you think you might want to pursue science as a career. Most scientists are happy to have volunteers or paid research assistants on their projects and it is a great way to get some experience, test out the waters of being a scientist (to see if you really like doing it), and learn some skills which will help you in the future when applying for jobs or universities.

On Narwhals…

How and where do you conduct your work on narwhals? 
The work we conduct on narwhals is in the High Arctic, mostly in West Greenland or Canada during the summer and fall. This is when the narwhal summering grounds are free of sea ice. We also sometime use a helicopter to do work in spring in the dense pack ice. We conduct research on narwhals from airplanes, helicopters, large boats, or small boats. We live in houses, research huts, boats, or tents.

What tools and/or technologies do you use in your work on narwhals?
We use a number of different technologies. We use cameras and video equipment to count and record narwhals from airplanes or helicopters. We use satellite telemetry to track whales from polar-orbiting satellites when they are tagged with a transmitter. We use small tag that internally logs data on diving to a small microchip. We use acoustic technologies (hydrophones and sonobouys) to listen to underwater sounds of narwhals. We use genetic techniques to identify individuals and populations.

What research projects related to narwhals have you worked on in the past?
I have worked on narwhals for ten years on a number of different projects. These include aerial surveys to estimate the distribution and abundance (numbers) of narwhals in different areas, projects where we put satellite transmitters on narwhals by capturing them in nets or tagging them from kayaks, projects where we use hydrophones to record narwhals both in the summer open water and from very small leads in the sea ice in winter. I have also been involved in harvest sampling, where whales from the native subsistence harvest are sampled for various things like the stomach contents, tissue samples for pollution and genetics, and reproductive studies. I have also worked on broader ecological questions related to narwhal habitat. I have built models to examine the sea ice where narwhals spend the winter and have studied the densities of their prey from fisheries surveys.

What research projects related to narwhals are you currently involved in?
I am currently involved in a capture and satellite tagging project of narwhals in Northwest Greenland and a project that is focused on quantifying the wintertime habitat of narwhals using tagged animals, low resolution aerial photography, remotely sensed images of sea ice from space, and different kinds of statistical models.

What have you learned so far from your research?
We have learned many things about narwhals. Some of the most basic or important things we have learned are the migration routes and wintering grounds for several populations. We have learned that narwhals dive to over 4,500 ft (1,400 m) many times per day to the bottom of the sea to catch fish. We have learned that narwhals live in extremely dense sea ice in winter where there is less than three percent open water for breathing. We have also learned that narwhals feed mostly in winter and do not eat very much in summer. But we are constantly learning new things about narwhals and there are still many unanswered questions.

Why is it important to study narwhals? 
We know very little about narwhals. They live in an Arctic environment that is rapidly changing. It is important to study narwhals so we have a baseline, or basic understanding, of how they interact with their environment and how their population sizes, movements, distribution, or behavior will change with the environmental changes currently happening (and predicted) for the Arctic. Narwhals are an important part of culture for native communicates in Greenland and Canada. They are harvested for subsistence and are important resources. Therefore, as resource managers we must understand how narwhal populations are changing and how they will survive with a changing climate so we can ensure they remain sustainable resources. 
 
What threats are currently facing narwhals? 
Climate change is the primary threat to narwhals. This includes loss of sea ice habitat and changes in the distribution of their prey, the Greenland halibut, with warming ocean temperatures. Changing conditions could also cause more sub-Arctic whales to move into the Arctic earlier in the season and for longer periods. This could increase competition for food or could even increase the frequency of predation by killer whales. Increasing human impacts (also known as anthropogenic impacts) in the Arctic are also a big threat to narwhals. One of these impacts is an increase in shipping activity. With less sea ice there is more open water for longer periods and ships can travel new routes, such as the Northwest Passage. There are also many more tourist/cruise ships in narwhal habitat in summer. Another threat is exploration and drilling for oil resources. Overharvest is also a threat if populations are not managed sustainably.

How is climate change affecting narwhals and their environment?
Narwhals have survived periods of high environmental variability and glaciations that covered their whole geographic range with ice. Therefore it is expected that the narwhal has some degree of flexibility in surviving climate change. However, the narwhal is an “arctic specialist.” It requires very specific habitats in both summer and winter, has specific migratory corridors, feeds on only a few prey species, has a relatively small global population size, and has a low reproductive rate. It is unknown how narwhals will fare with the unidirectional and human-induced climate warming. However, it is expected that it will have negative consequences for the species. Changes in the amount of sea ice are expected to have an impact on what habitats are used by narwhals, especially their important wintering grounds. Changes in sea temperatures, currents, and ocean circulation will also likely indirectly impact the biomass and distribution of narwhals' primary prey, the Greenland halibut.

How do native communities interact with and depend on narwhals?
Narwhals are very important to native communities. They have been harvested for subsistence for thousands of years by people in Arctic villages in Canada and Greenland. These people rely heavily on the narwhal for food. In Greenland, most of the narwhal is eaten, including the meat, the blubber, the skin, and the organs. Sometimes carvings or art pieces are made out of the bones or the tusk. The narwhal hunt is an important part of cultural identity and communities look forward to the arrival of the narwhal hunting season all year. Finally, the narwhal hunt in North Greenland is one of the last places where traditional kayak and harpoon hunting methods are used.

Have you participated in any research collaborations with native communities? If so, please explain.
Yes, every project is in collaboration with the local native community closest to where we are working. Hunters are employed on all projects as assistants, and they help us do the science. They are frequently the most important part of a successful field project and often I am the only biologist present. Hunters have participated in conducting aerial surveys, going on expeditions to capture and tag narwhals, sampling harvested narwhals, and going on trips out to the pack ice in helicopters. They also sometimes come to meetings where we discuss the science and management of narwhals. In all field projects, hunters have contributed their knowledge, skill, and experience which have been critical to the success of the research.

What follow-up research related to narwhals would you like to do in the future?
I would like to learn more about how narwhals make a living in the winter in the dense pack ice and more about their extreme diving behavior. I would also like to better understand how narwhals use the sea ice habitat.

What is the most interesting or exciting thing that has happened during your research?
Many interesting and exciting things have happened during my field trips. One of the best was when a pod of killer whales attacked narwhals in front of our camp. Another was when we saw thousands of narwhals migrating past from a cliff. Another was being out in the middle of the pack ice in winter and seeing narwhals surface in a very small lead surrounded by many miles of sea ice. I also consider some of my most valuable experiences to be my interactions and collaborations with the native people.

What is the coolest thing about narwhals?
The coolest thing about narwhals is probably that they dive up to 5,900 ft (1,800 m) in the middle of winter in darkness and dense sea ice. Their tusk is also pretty cool.

What actions can kids take to help protect narwhals and their environment?
The best thing you can do is think about the environment and be aware that your actions, even if small, have an impact on Earth, climate change, and even on narwhals. Do your best to reduce CO2 emissions. Take public transportation or ride a bike instead of driving; buy food locally or organically; and do small things like turn off the lights if you aren’t using them or shut off the water when you brush your teeth.

On the Arctic... 

In what ways do you feel that humans affect the Arctic environment (positively and/or negatively)?
Humans negatively impact the Arctic environment by abusing the environment or being wasteful. This can be done by driving cars too much, overusing electricity and other forms of energy, polluting the atmosphere, and generally contributing to climate change without even knowing it. On the positive side, the general public is very interested in the Arctic. Recently, with a lot of news about climate change, charismatic animals such as seals, polar bears, and narwhals have captured the public’s imagination. I feel that people they truly care about the future of these species and their environment and want to preserve them.

What are the most common misconceptions people have about living or working in the Arctic?
Although Arctic field work may seem glamorous, it can be very difficult. It is remote, cold, and sometimes inhospitable. The weather always rules and you have to become very relaxed about making plans or having any control over what actually happens because often the weather will not agree with your plans.

What do you like the best about doing work in the Arctic? 
The Arctic is full of incredible wild nature, beautiful scenery, and interesting friendly people with a unique culture. I like working with the people from local native communities and value the many good friends I have made in villages around Greenland. I also feel very privileged to see some of the animals and nature I have encountered on my field expeditions, including polar bears, Arctic fox, caribou, musk ox, and many species of whales, seals, and birds.

What do you like the least about doing work in the Arctic?
Sometimes I am away for long periods of time and am not able to be in contact with people. I also spend most of my summers in the Arctic so I don’t get a very long sunny summer vacation!

What changes—if any—have you noticed in the Arctic during the time you have been working there?
I have noticed the sea ice disappearing in the past 10 years I have worked in the Arctic. Now I have been to the same places frequently enough over the past 10 years that I see much more open water and that the ice disappears much earlier than before.

What one thing would you most like kids to learn from studying the Arctic? 
The Arctic is an extremely interesting and unexplored place. But kids should learn that the Arctic is changing rapidly and may be very different in just 50 years.

On Being a Kid…
 
What kinds of books did you like to read when you were a kid?
I read all kinds of books, but I especially liked books about animals and nature. I think I checked out most of the whale books from the public library, too.

What was your favorite subject when you were in middle school? 
I liked my art classes -- painting and drawing.

What did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
I had several career goals including being a ballet dancer, a veterinarian, a classical pianist, and a marine biologist. But I guess I ended up with the last one.

What advice do you wish that someone had given you when you were a kid?
I think I got a lot of good advice and encouragement as a kid and can’t think of anything in particular that someone should have told me.

On the Rest of Life…

Who are some of the people you look up to or admire?
I admire people who do not take themselves too seriously but at the same time are productive and creative, work hard, and have fun. I also admire people who do what they love and pursue that as their main goal.

What do you like to do for fun?
I like to run, bike, swim, hike, and go camping. I also like to paint and draw.

What is your educational background?
I graduated from high school in upstate New York. I received a B.S. (Bachelor of Science) in Zoology and a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from the University of Washington, Seattle.

How did you end up in the field you are in today?
I was always interested in biology and marine science. When I began my undergraduate studies I volunteered at the National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle, Washington. I learned laboratory and analysis skills and over the course of several years was hired as an assistant biologist on several projects involving marine mammal field work. I continued my studies as a Ph.D. student with a focus on Arctic whales in Greenland and have continued to do research in the Arctic since then.

What are some of the different career opportunities associated with the work you do?
One can work in several different capacities as a biologist. You can be employed by the federal government, a university, an aquarium, or a non-profit organization. You can work in the United States or abroad. It is possible to focus on research (collecting and analyzing data) or teaching (university classes or field courses). Some biologists are field specialists, so they spend a lot of time outdoors collecting data. Others are laboratory specialists and spend their days in the lab looking at samples with microscopes and other machines. Some biologists also specialize in math and statistics and make models about population trends, harvest management, or quotas.

What advice would you give to kids who are interested in studying science?
My best advice is to get involved in scientific research as soon as you think you might want to pursue science as a career. Most scientists are happy to have volunteers or paid research assistants on their projects and it is a great way to get some experience, test out the waters of being a scientist (to see if you really like doing it), and learn some skills which will help you in the future when applying for jobs or universities.

On Narwhals…

How and where do you conduct your work on narwhals? 
The work we conduct on narwhals is in the High Arctic, mostly in West Greenland or Canada during the summer and fall. This is when the narwhal summering grounds are free of sea ice. We also sometime use a helicopter to do work in spring in the dense pack ice. We conduct research on narwhals from airplanes, helicopters, large boats, or small boats. We live in houses, research huts, boats, or tents.

What tools and/or technologies do you use in your work on narwhals?
We use a number of different technologies. We use cameras and video equipment to count and record narwhals from airplanes or helicopters. We use satellite telemetry to track whales from polar-orbiting satellites when they are tagged with a transmitter. We use small tag that internally logs data on diving to a small microchip. We use acoustic technologies (hydrophones and sonobouys) to listen to underwater sounds of narwhals. We use genetic techniques to identify individuals and populations.

What research projects related to narwhals have you worked on in the past?
I have worked on narwhals for ten years on a number of different projects. These include aerial surveys to estimate the distribution and abundance (numbers) of narwhals in different areas, projects where we put satellite transmitters on narwhals by capturing them in nets or tagging them from kayaks, projects where we use hydrophones to record narwhals both in the summer open water and from very small leads in the sea ice in winter. I have also been involved in harvest sampling, where whales from the native subsistence harvest are sampled for various things like the stomach contents, tissue samples for pollution and genetics, and reproductive studies. I have also worked on broader ecological questions related to narwhal habitat. I have built models to examine the sea ice where narwhals spend the winter and have studied the densities of their prey from fisheries surveys.

What research projects related to narwhals are you currently involved in?
I am currently involved in a capture and satellite tagging project of narwhals in Northwest Greenland and a project that is focused on quantifying the wintertime habitat of narwhals using tagged animals, low resolution aerial photography, remotely sensed images of sea ice from space, and different kinds of statistical models.

What have you learned so far from your research?
We have learned many things about narwhals. Some of the most basic or important things we have learned are the migration routes and wintering grounds for several populations. We have learned that narwhals dive to over 4,500 ft (1,400 m) many times per day to the bottom of the sea to catch fish. We have learned that narwhals live in extremely dense sea ice in winter where there is less than three percent open water for breathing. We have also learned that narwhals feed mostly in winter and do not eat very much in summer. But we are constantly learning new things about narwhals and there are still many unanswered questions.

Why is it important to study narwhals? 
We know very little about narwhals. They live in an Arctic environment that is rapidly changing. It is important to study narwhals so we have a baseline, or basic understanding, of how they interact with their environment and how their population sizes, movements, distribution, or behavior will change with the environmental changes currently happening (and predicted) for the Arctic. Narwhals are an important part of culture for native communicates in Greenland and Canada. They are harvested for subsistence and are important resources. Therefore, as resource managers we must understand how narwhal populations are changing and how they will survive with a changing climate so we can ensure they remain sustainable resources. 
 
What threats are currently facing narwhals? 
Climate change is the primary threat to narwhals. This includes loss of sea ice habitat and changes in the distribution of their prey, the Greenland halibut, with warming ocean temperatures. Changing conditions could also cause more sub-Arctic whales to move into the Arctic earlier in the season and for longer periods. This could increase competition for food or could even increase the frequency of predation by killer whales. Increasing human impacts (also known as anthropogenic impacts) in the Arctic are also a big threat to narwhals. One of these impacts is an increase in shipping activity. With less sea ice there is more open water for longer periods and ships can travel new routes, such as the Northwest Passage. There are also many more tourist/cruise ships in narwhal habitat in summer. Another threat is exploration and drilling for oil resources. Overharvest is also a threat if populations are not managed sustainably.

How is climate change affecting narwhals and their environment?
Narwhals have survived periods of high environmental variability and glaciations that covered their whole geographic range with ice. Therefore it is expected that the narwhal has some degree of flexibility in surviving climate change. However, the narwhal is an “arctic specialist.” It requires very specific habitats in both summer and winter, has specific migratory corridors, feeds on only a few prey species, has a relatively small global population size, and has a low reproductive rate. It is unknown how narwhals will fare with the unidirectional and human-induced climate warming. However, it is expected that it will have negative consequences for the species. Changes in the amount of sea ice are expected to have an impact on what habitats are used by narwhals, especially their important wintering grounds. Changes in sea temperatures, currents, and ocean circulation will also likely indirectly impact the biomass and distribution of narwhals' primary prey, the Greenland halibut.

How do native communities interact with and depend on narwhals?
Narwhals are very important to native communities. They have been harvested for subsistence for thousands of years by people in Arctic villages in Canada and Greenland. These people rely heavily on the narwhal for food. In Greenland, most of the narwhal is eaten, including the meat, the blubber, the skin, and the organs. Sometimes carvings or art pieces are made out of the bones or the tusk. The narwhal hunt is an important part of cultural identity and communities look forward to the arrival of the narwhal hunting season all year. Finally, the narwhal hunt in North Greenland is one of the last places where traditional kayak and harpoon hunting methods are used.

Have you participated in any research collaborations with native communities? If so, please explain.
Yes, every project is in collaboration with the local native community closest to where we are working. Hunters are employed on all projects as assistants, and they help us do the science. They are frequently the most important part of a successful field project and often I am the only biologist present. Hunters have participated in conducting aerial surveys, going on expeditions to capture and tag narwhals, sampling harvested narwhals, and going on trips out to the pack ice in helicopters. They also sometimes come to meetings where we discuss the science and management of narwhals. In all field projects, hunters have contributed their knowledge, skill, and experience which have been critical to the success of the research.

What follow-up research related to narwhals would you like to do in the future?
I would like to learn more about how narwhals make a living in the winter in the dense pack ice and more about their extreme diving behavior. I would also like to better understand how narwhals use the sea ice habitat.

What is the most interesting or exciting thing that has happened during your research?
Many interesting and exciting things have happened during my field trips. One of the best was when a pod of killer whales attacked narwhals in front of our camp. Another was when we saw thousands of narwhals migrating past from a cliff. Another was being out in the middle of the pack ice in winter and seeing narwhals surface in a very small lead surrounded by many miles of sea ice. I also consider some of my most valuable experiences to be my interactions and collaborations with the native people.

What is the coolest thing about narwhals?
The coolest thing about narwhals is probably that they dive up to 5,900 ft (1,800 m) in the middle of winter in darkness and dense sea ice. Their tusk is also pretty cool.

What actions can kids take to help protect narwhals and their environment?
The best thing you can do is think about the environment and be aware that your actions, even if small, have an impact on Earth, climate change, and even on narwhals. Do your best to reduce CO2 emissions. Take public transportation or ride a bike instead of driving; buy food locally or organically; and do small things like turn off the lights if you aren’t using them or shut off the water when you brush your teeth.

On the Arctic... 

In what ways do you feel that humans affect the Arctic environment (positively and/or negatively)?
Humans negatively impact the Arctic environment by abusing the environment or being wasteful. This can be done by driving cars too much, overusing electricity and other forms of energy, polluting the atmosphere, and generally contributing to climate change without even knowing it. On the positive side, the general public is very interested in the Arctic. Recently, with a lot of news about climate change, charismatic animals such as seals, polar bears, and narwhals have captured the public’s imagination. I feel that people they truly care about the future of these species and their environment and want to preserve them.

What are the most common misconceptions people have about living or working in the Arctic?
Although Arctic field work may seem glamorous, it can be very difficult. It is remote, cold, and sometimes inhospitable. The weather always rules and you have to become very relaxed about making plans or having any control over what actually happens because often the weather will not agree with your plans.

What do you like the best about doing work in the Arctic? 
The Arctic is full of incredible wild nature, beautiful scenery, and interesting friendly people with a unique culture. I like working with the people from local native communities and value the many good friends I have made in villages around Greenland. I also feel very privileged to see some of the animals and nature I have encountered on my field expeditions, including polar bears, Arctic fox, caribou, musk ox, and many species of whales, seals, and birds.

What do you like the least about doing work in the Arctic?
Sometimes I am away for long periods of time and am not able to be in contact with people. I also spend most of my summers in the Arctic so I don’t get a very long sunny summer vacation!

What changes—if any—have you noticed in the Arctic during the time you have been working there?
I have noticed the sea ice disappearing in the past 10 years I have worked in the Arctic. Now I have been to the same places frequently enough over the past 10 years that I see much more open water and that the ice disappears much earlier than before.

What one thing would you most like kids to learn from studying the Arctic? 
The Arctic is an extremely interesting and unexplored place. But kids should learn that the Arctic is changing rapidly and may be very different in just 50 years.

On Being a Kid…
 
What kinds of books did you like to read when you were a kid?
I read all kinds of books, but I especially liked books about animals and nature. I think I checked out most of the whale books from the public library, too.

What was your favorite subject when you were in middle school? 
I liked my art classes -- painting and drawing.

What did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
I had several career goals including being a ballet dancer, a veterinarian, a classical pianist, and a marine biologist. But I guess I ended up with the last one.

What advice do you wish that someone had given you when you were a kid?
I think I got a lot of good advice and encouragement as a kid and can’t think of anything in particular that someone should have told me.

On the Rest of Life…

Who are some of the people you look up to or admire?
I admire people who do not take themselves too seriously but at the same time are productive and creative, work hard, and have fun. I also admire people who do what they love and pursue that as their main goal.

What do you like to do for fun?
I like to run, bike, swim, hike, and go camping. I also like to paint and draw.